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MATHEMATICS

Mathematics (B.S.)
Mathematics with Secondary-Level Teaching Licensure (B.S. in Mathematics)
Mathematics (Minor)

Mathematics (B.S.)

The study of mathematics introduces students to mathematical abstraction as well as how mathematics can be used to solve practical problems. Many courses in this discipline provide the basic foundations necessary to support study in all majors. Whenever possible, Mathematics courses introduce concepts using applications, analytical solutions (equation solving), numerical approximations, and graphical interpretations. Graphing calculators and computer algebra software facilitate these efforts. In addition, Mathematics majors and minors learn how to prove mathematical statements in a variety of areas in the discipline. A major in Mathematics provides students with a strong foundation for careers in secondary mathematics education, actuarial science, business and research, as well as for further studies in mathematics and related fields.

After meeting the Liberal Arts Core requirements, Mathematics majors have 17-20 elective credit hours. Students are encouraged to apply those credits toward other options such as

Minimum Grade Requirements: A minimum grade of C– in any course that serves as a prerequisite for a higher-numbered course.

Suggested Degree Plan

Year One

Fall

  • MA 181 Calculus I§ * #
  • Social Sciences elective*
  • EN 101 Composition I*
  • ECO/POL/PSY/SOC 100 Introduction to the Social Sciences*
  • SEM 101 Freshman Seminar

Spring

  • MA 182 Calculus II§ #
  • IT 130 Java Programming§
  • EN 102 Composition II*
  • Health elective*
  • Social Sciences elective (ECO 210 Principles of Microeconomics or ECO 211 Principles of Macroeconomics recommended)*

Year Two

Fall

  • MA 160 Discrete Mathematics for IT§
  • MA 161 Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning§
  • MA 209 Mathematics Seminar§ **
  • MA 225 Differential Equations§ or MA 221 Calculus III§ #
  • PHYS 171 General Physics I§ * or BIO 151 General Biology I§ *
  • Humanities elective*

Spring

  • MA 257 Introduction to Number Theory and Proof Techniques§ or MA 258 Advanced Calculus§
  • PHYS 172 General Physics II§ or BIO 152 General Biology II§
  • MA 215 Linear Algebra§ or elective
  • MA 228 Probability and Statistical Inference§ or elective
  • IT 230 Advanced Java Programming or elective*

Year Three

Fall

  • MA 225 Differential Equations§ or MA 221 Calculus III§ #
  • MA 300/400-level course§
  • MA 309 Mathematics Seminar§ **
  • Writing elective*
  • MA 433 Research, elective, or course in minor
  • Humanities elective*

Spring

  • MA 257 Introduction to Proofs with Number Theory§ or MA 258 Advanced Calculus§
  • MA 215 Linear Algebra§ or elective
  • MA 228 Probability and Statistical Inference§, MA 328 Stochastic Modeling§, or elective
  • Humanities elective*
  • Elective or course in minor*

Year Four

Fall

  • MA 400 Internship§
  • MA 300/400-level course§
  • MA 409 Mathematics Seminar§ **
  • MA 433 Research, elective, or course in minor
  • Humanities elective*

Spring

  • MA 328 Stochastic Modeling§ or elective
  • Two (2) Humanities electives*
  • Social Sciences 300/400-level elective*

§Requirement for the major. (Students needing preparation for MA 181 Calculus I should plan to complete that preparation during the freshman year.) Note that course rotations vary and not every course is available each semester; course rotations are available on the Mathematics Web site.
*See Liberal Arts Core requirements for details.
#MA 181 and MA 182 can be waived with appropriate AP credit. Students should take noted courses in the specified sequence and, upon successful completion, may not subsequently register for a lower-numbered course in the Calculus sequence, including MA 142 Precalculus.
**Transfer students or new majors will not be required to make up Mathematics Seminar classes that met during semesters in which they were not enrolled as a Mathematics major at Marymount.

Mathematics with Secondary-level Teaching Licensure (B.S. in Mathematics)

This program of study allows students to complete a baccalaureate degree in Mathematics and also be licensed to teach secondary Mathematics at the end of four years. Students pursuing licensure in this manner complete all requirements necessary for Virginia licensure, including field experience and student teaching.

After meeting the Liberal Arts Core requirements, Mathematics majors seeking teaching licensure have 6-9 elective credit hours.

Individual advising is important to ensure meeting all major and teaching licensure requirements.

Admission Requirements: Students in this program must seek admission to the teacher licensure program and apply for student teaching. See Education section for admission requirements and procedures.

Degree Planning: Students in this program must take courses specified in the degree plan to ensure fulfillment of state licensure requirements. See an Education advisor in the School of Education and Human Services for further information.

Suggested Degree Plan

Year Four

Fall

  • MA 181 Calculus I§ * #
  • Social Sciences elective*
  • EN 101 Composition I*
  • POL/SOC 100 Introduction to the Social Sciences*
  • SEM 101 Freshman Seminar

Spring

  • MA 182 Calculus II§ #
  • IT 130 Java Programming§
  • EN 102 Composition II*
  • Social Sciences elective (ECO 210 Principles of Microeconomics or ECO 211 Principles of Macroeconomics recommended)*
  • PH 205 Logic§ *

Year Two

Fall

  • MA 160 Discrete Mathematics for IT§
  • MA 161 Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning§
  • MA 209 Mathematics Seminar§ **
  • MA 225 Differential Equations§ or MA 221 Calculus III§ #
  • PHYS 171 General Physics I§ *
  • Humanities (History) elective*

Spring

  • MA 257 Introduction to Proofs with Number Theory§ or MA 258 Advanced Calculus§
  • MA 124 History of Elementary Mathematics§ or MA 215 Linear Algebra§
  • MA 228 Probability and Statistical Inference§ or Humanities elective*
  • ED 245S Educational Foundations for Secondary Teachers
  • PHYS 172 General Physics II§

Year Three

Fall

  • MA 225 Differential Equations§ or MA 221 Calculus III§ #
  • MA 385 Approaches to Teaching Secondary Math or MA 420 Abstract Algebra§
  • MA 309 Mathematics Seminar§ **
  • ED 327S Curriculum Design: Secondary Education
  • EN 301 The Writing Process: Theory and Practice*
  • PSY 341 Psychology of Individuals with Exceptionalities*

Spring

  • MA 257 Introduction to Proofs with Number Theory§ or MA 258 Advanced Calculus§
  • MA 124 History of Elementary Mathematics§ or MA 215 Linear Algebra§
  • MA 228 Probability and Statistical Inference§ or Humanities elective*
  • ED 337 Reading in the Content Areas
  • PSY 312 Adolescent Psychology

Year Four

Fall

  • MA 385 Approaches to Teaching Secondary Math or MA 420 Abstract Algebra§
  • MA 409 Mathematics Seminar§ **
  • MA 433 Research or elective*
  • Health elective*
  • Two (2) Humanities electives*

Spring

  • ED 360S Student Teaching§
  • Two (2) Humanities electives*

§Requirement for the major. (Students needing preparation for MA 181 Calculus I should plan to complete that preparation during the freshman year.) Note that course rotations vary and not every course is available each semester; course rotations are available on the Mathematics Web site.
*See Liberal Arts Core requirements for details.
#MA 181 and MA 182 can be waived with appropriate AP credit. Students should take noted courses in the specified sequence and, upon successful completion, may not subsequently register for a lower-numbered course in the Calculus sequence, including MA 142 Precalculus.
**Transfer students or new majors will not be required to make up Mathematics Seminar classes that met during semesters in which they were not enrolled as a Mathematics major at Marymount.

Mathematics (Minor)

Minor Requirements